The Best Old Indian TV Serials Of All Time
Here is the list of great old Indian TV Serials. Some of them were my favorite when I was a kid.
The list is not in a particular order, it depends on every person's taste. Again this list is as per my view, so if someone else knows a better serial, you can put it in comments.
1) Malgudi Days -it is based on the works of R.K. Narayan, in total Thirty-nine episodes of Malgudi Days were telecast on Doordarshan.
2) Vikram and Betaal - The series contained stories from Indian mythology that aim at teaching kids lessons of life while entertaining them. In total there are 26 episodes. 3) Mahabharat - This 94-episode series originally ran from 2 October 1988 to 24 June 1990. It was produced by B. R. Chopra and directed by his son, Ravi Chopra.
4) Bharat Ek Khoj - Discovery Of India - is a 53-episode television series that dramatically unfolds the 5000 year history of India from its beginnings to the coming of independence in 1947. It is a series of explorations into the different periods of Indian history and was made in 1988 by the writer, director and producer Shyam Benegal with Cinematographer V.K.Murthy The series was based on a book written by historian and the first Prime Minister of independent India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, titled The Discovery of India.
5) Surabhi - was a popular Indian cultural magazine show hosted by Renuka Shahane andSiddharth Kak, which ran from 1993 to 2001. It was telecast on Doordarshan.
6) Byomkesh Bakshi (1993) is directed by Basu Chatterjee was the critically acclaimed television adaptation of the series. Actor Rajit Kapur played the role of Byomkesh Bakshi, for which he was highly praised. Ajit was played by K.K. Raina and Satyaboti was played by Sukanya Kulkarni who was the first actress to play the character. The series lasted for 33 episodes.
7) Tehreer...Munshi Premchand Ki - (My favorite..but didn't find any sample video) -
This is a 26-epsiode serial, Tehreer.... Munshi Premchand Ki (The Writings of Munshi Premchand), has been commissioned by Doordarshan. It includes multiple episodes of the celebrated Hindi-Urdu litterateur’s best-known novels, Godaan (The Gift of a Cow) and Nirmala by Munchi Premchand.
9) Ramayan - is a highly successful Indian television series created, written, and directed by Ramanand Sagar. The 78-episode series originally aired weekly on Doordarshan from January 25, 1987, to July 31, 1988, on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. IST.
11) Param Vir Chakra -(I never missed any episode) (My Favorite - each episode was on those brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives for country in the battlefield, but I didn't get any original episodes for this too.) used to come on Doordarshan every Sunday at 9:30 am, directed by - Chetan Anand, singer - Amrinderpal, music - Pyaare Mohan.
13) Captain Vyom is a science fiction television series of 54 episodes that aired on DD National channel in the late 1990s. The series aired in India on DD1 every Sunday morning at 10. It became extremely popular among youth because of its concept of time machine and the world of 2220.
14) Chanakya is 47-part Indian television historical drama written and directed by Dr.Chandraprakash Dwivedi that was originally telecast on DD National.
The list is not in a particular order, it depends on every person's taste. Again this list is as per my view, so if someone else knows a better serial, you can put it in comments.
1) Malgudi Days -it is based on the works of R.K. Narayan, in total Thirty-nine episodes of Malgudi Days were telecast on Doordarshan.
2) Vikram and Betaal - The series contained stories from Indian mythology that aim at teaching kids lessons of life while entertaining them. In total there are 26 episodes. 3) Mahabharat - This 94-episode series originally ran from 2 October 1988 to 24 June 1990. It was produced by B. R. Chopra and directed by his son, Ravi Chopra.
8) Tehkikaat - is a detective-thriller series about various crime scene investigations, starring Vijay Anand as Sam D'Silva and Saurabh Shukla as Gopichand. Released in May 1994, the series involved resolving mysteries and murders with a touch of humour to it. This became the second best detective serial after Byomkesh Bakshi which was also popular in its time.
10) Shree Krishna - was created, written, and directed by Ramanand Sagar. The series originally aired weekly on Doordarshan. It is an adaptation of the stories of the life of Krishna.Shri Krishna was initially broadcast on DD Metro from 1993 to 1996.In 1996,
12) Chandrakanta is an Indian fantasy television series of 73 episodes partly based on Devaki Nandan Khatri's novel "Chandrakanta". It was originally telecast on Doordarshan in the early 1995 and was produced by Nirja Guleri and directed by Sunil Agnihotri.
This is not any trailer or official part of that...but it has the most resembling theme song/music in it. So I have just added in case you remember, what was it like...
15) Tenali Rama - based on his stories.
16) Chitrahaar and Rangoli - used to come on every Wednesday night and Sunday morning.
17) Jungle Book - Mogli - (its everyone's favorite..needs to introduction...)
18) Suraag The Clue - is a television crime series that aired on DD National channel in the late 90s on every Monday at 10:00 pm to 11:00 pm IST. The series is produced by Shri Adhikari Brothers Limited & starred Sudesh Berry as CID Inspector Bharat in the main lead. (I never missed it)
19) Ankein - Though it doesn't seem to be realistic, many of us still used to watch it just because of its great story-line, but I would say very unrealistic way of direction.
20) Alif Laila - based on the stories from The Arabian Nights.
21) Shaktimaan - the first Indian Superhero, we just loved to watch it.
22) Sai Baba -
23) Turning Point - this serial used to give us current affair and current technological development, such/some very interesting stuff.
24) Mitti Ke Rang
25) The Sword of Tipu Sultan - was aired on DD in 1990, based on a novel by Bhagwan Gidwani, directed by Sanjay Khan and Akbar Khan, Cast - Sanjay Khan, Maya Alag, Deepika, Anant Mahadevan, Mukesh Rishi, Shahbaz Khan.
26) I Dream of Jeannie - Everyone knows and loves Jeannie...me too...
There was "Karishma Ka Karishma" TV serial which is Indian-Copy of famous english TV serial "Small Wonder".
27) Khichadi - famous family comedy in a Gujarati Family called Parekhs no one will forget Hansa, Praful, Jayashree, and of course dadaji, Tulsidas.
28) Fauji -
Fauji is a TV series about the daily life of an Indian Army regiment that aired on India's national channel DD National in 1988. It was produced and directed by Colonel R.K. Kapur (Retired). The concept focuses on a batch of trainees into a commando school, their training and eventual induction as soldiers.
29) Raja ShivChatrapati - famous most acclaimed Marathi serial based on Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, i.e. King Shivaji and his life.
30) The Great Maratha - showcases the glorious history of the, then Maratha empire, Peshwas.
32) Office Office - is based on corruption and bribery in public offices shown in a very comedy manner. The story revolves around Mussadilal who is often harshly greeted by the corrupt officials.
33) Hum-Paanch - is a story of a middle-class person Anand Mathur, who always finds himself in trouble because of his five daughters each having some unique behavior.
34) Sarabhai vs Sarabhai - Everyone knows this serial...(again my favorite)...
35) Akbar The Great - about life of King Akbar.
36) Aahat -
37) Aap Beeti
38) Ssshhhh...Phir Koi Hai
41) Mirza Galib
And many more... here order is not important.
During my childhood days, I have almost seen all above serials(with few exceptions... those few which didnot use to come on National Television). I am proud that during those days, script was more important than actors or any other thing.
Great compilation............It renew my old memories...
ReplyDeleteRemembered my old good days.
ReplyDeleteWell to realize how old I have become is definitely NOT a good feeling I am having, however remembering how good were those days surely is. And quite a lot credit goes to most of the serials you content has mentioned.
Thanks a lot.